NATIONAL GALLERY (Tel:7747 2885; www.nationalgallery.org.uk; Trafalgar Sq WC2; Tube Charing Cross; admission free; Time:Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 10am-6pm, Wed 10am-9pm, group tours 11:30am and 2:30pm) is one of the world's largest art museums, with a collection of more than 2,000 Western European paintings spanning the period between the 13th and 20th centuries. There are representative works from every important period in the history of Western art, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Giovanni. These include works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Van Gogh and Renoir. Gao and Renoir. Cross; admission free; Time: Mon-Wed, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, Thu & Fri 10am-9pm) houses portraits of famous and not-so-famous British figures through the ages. The ground floor is the most interesting, focusing on portraits of some of the figures in contemporary British popular culture.
BRITISH MUSEUM Built in 1753, (Tel:7323 8000; www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk; Great Russell St WC1; Metro Rusell Sq; free entry, free for all kinds of tours; Time:Sat. to Wed 10am-5:30pm, Thu-Fri 10am-8:30pm) is one of the world's first and finest museums. The collection of rare anthropological artifacts and ancient artifacts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome is unrivaled. The British Museum's Great Court, Europe's largest covered plaza, opened in 2000 and is stunning in its architectural grandeur.
St Jame's, Westminister & Pimilico
WESTMINSTER ABBEY (Tel:72222 5152; www.westminster- abbey.org; Parliament Sq SW1; Metro Westminster; Adult/Concession ￡7.50/￡5; Time:Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri 9:30am-4:45pm, Wed 9:30am-8pm, Sat 9:30am-2:45pm, Sunday worship only) has a long history that began with the deaths of King Edward the Confessor, who built a church here in the 11th century. Behind the altar are the coronation chairs, where all but two of the kings of England have been crowned since 1066, and many famous people, including Darwin and Chaucer, are buried in this church.
TATE BRITAIN Built in 1897 and steeped in history, (Tel:7887 8000; www.tate.org.uk ; Millbank SW1; Metro Pimlico station; admission free; Time:10am-5:50pm) has a fine collection of 16th- to late-20th-century British fine collection of fine art. There's a boat trip to the Tate Modern (￡3.40/￡5 single/day ticket, 18 minutes, 10am-5:50pm) with a fine collection of British art from the 16th to late 20th centuries. There are cruises to the Tate Modern (￡3.40/5 for a one-way/day ticket, 18 minutes, every 40 minutes from 10am-5pm), which stop at the London Eye.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE Built in 1705 as the residence of the then Duke of Buckingham, Buckingham Palace (Tel:7766 7300; www.royal.gov.uk; Buckingham Palace Rd SW1; Tube Victoria/Green Park station; adult. /concession ￡12.95/￡11; Time:July 31-September 26 9:30am-4:15pm, guards change at 11:30am April-June, every other day July-February) has been the home of the British royal family since 1837. 19 sumptuously decorated state rooms are open to visitors in the summer months, as well as the galleries and the throne room, which houses some of the finest artisanal craftsmanship. Inside the Throne Room are the artisanal pink thrones of kings and queens, with initials "ER" and "P".
ST JAMES'S PARK (Tel: 7930 1793; www.royalparks.gov.uk; The Mail SW1; St Jame's Park subway station; Time: 5am-dusk) is a long, narrow park adjacent to a large shopping center. A long, narrow park in a large shopping center with great views, with Buckingham Palace and Whitehall at the south end. It's a relaxing place with green grass, a sparkling lake and birdsong.
Kensington & Knightsbridge
VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM (Tel:7492 2000; www.vam.ac.uk ; Cromwell Rd SW7 ; South Kenstington subway station; free admission; Time: Mon-Tue and Thu-Sun 10am-5:45pm, Wed 10am-10pm) The collection of arts and crafts is the largest in the world, with the collection dating from 3,000 BC through to modern times. In the nearly 150 galleries, there is everything from furniture to fashion, pottery to sculpture.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Fascinatingly numerous interactive exhibits make the Natural History Museum (Tel:7492 5000; www.nhm.ac.uk ; Cromwell Rd SW7; Metro South Kensington; admission free; Time:Mon-Sat. 10am-5:30pm, Sun 11am-5:30pm) has become a huge hit with children and adults alike. Highlights include the Darwin Center, where a variety of specimens from Captain Cook's collection are on display; there's also a lively earthquake experience and an impressive dinosaur skeleton.
SCIENCE MUSEUM (Tel: 0870 870 4868; www.sciencemuseum.org.uk ; Exhibition Rd SW7; Metro South Kensington; admission free; Time: 10am-6pm) Vividly displays often very esoteric subjects. Exhibitions such as Man on the Moon show the world's advances in science, technology, industry and medicine, while exhibitions in the new Wellcome Wing show the impact of contemporary science on everyday life.
HYDE PARK (Tel:7298 2000; www.royalparks.gov.uk; Hyde Park tube station; Time: 5am-dusk) is the largest park in central London and the burial place of Karl Marx. It is the largest park in central London and the burial place of Karl Marx. It contains both carefully manicured gardens and large, overgrown areas of heathland. On the south shore of the lake visit the excellent contemporary art gallery Serpentine Gallery (Tel:7402 6075; www.serpentinegallery.org; Kensington Gardens W8; Underground Knightsbridge/South Kensington; free admission; Time: 10am-6pm) or Kensington Palace (Kensington Palace; Tel: 0870 751 5170; www.hrp.org.uk; Kensington Gardens W8; Metro High St Kensington/Notting Hill Gate stations; Adult/Concessionary ticket 10.80/￡8.20; Time: March to October 10am-5pm, November to February 10am-4pm) and gardens. In a sense, Kensington Palace has become a "shrine" to Princess Diana.
CITY
ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL British architect Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral (Tel:7246 8348; www.stpauls.co.uk; The Chapter House, St Paul's Church), has been a favorite for many years. Chapter House, St Paul's Churchyard EC4; St Paul's tube station; adult/concession ￡7/6; Time: Mon-Sat 8:30am-4pm, Sunday services only) boasts the largest dome of any London church. The most beautiful of all the churches in London. Inside, attractions include the Whispering Gallery, so named because if you whisper close to its walls, your voice can be heard up to 32 meters away on the other side of the circular wall, and the High Level Gallery, which offers breathtaking views of London.
TOWER OF LONDON Glittering with crown jewels, guards and big crows, the Tower of London (Tel:0870 756 6060; www.hrp.org.uk; Tower Hill EC3; Tube Tower Hill; adult/concession ￡13.50/10.50; Time: March to October Tues-Sat. March-October Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun & Mon 10am-5pm; Nov-Feb Tue-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun & Mon 10am-4pm) Serves as a state fortress, royal residence, prison and place of execution. To avoid ticket lines, you can purchase tickets in advance at any subway station.
TOWER BRIDGE (Tower Hill Tube station) With its neo-Gothic towers and blue zip wire, Tower Bridge is a permanent symbol of London. You can enjoy beautiful views from the sidewalks of Tower Bridge.
South Bank area
TATE MODERN The popular Tate Modern (Tel: 7887 8008; www.tate.org.uk; Bankside SE1; Tube Blackfriars/Southwark; admission free; Time: Sun-Thurs. 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm) Once a derelict power station on the Thames, this is now a London landmark featuring 20th-century artworks, with exhibits arranged according to themes, such as still lifes, objects and sketches. The Café Rooms (Levels 2 and 7; Time: Sunday-Thursday 10am-5:30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-9:30pm) are the perfect place to take in the views of the Thames for which they are famous. There's a boat service (￡3.40/￡5 for a one-way/day ticket, 18 minutes, every 40 minutes between 10am-5pm) to the Tate, and the cruise has a stop at the London Eye.
BRITISH AIRWAYS LONDON EYE On a clear day, take a cruise from British Airways London Eye (Tel:0870 500 0600; www.ba-londoneye.com ; Jubilee Gardens; South Bank SE1; Tube Waterloo station; Adult/concession ￡11.50/￡9; Time: February, March and October-December 10:30am-7pm, April, May and September 10:30am-8pm, June-August 10am-10pm) look around and you can see still life for up to 25 miles (40km). The fully-enclosed glass capsule for viewing the view takes 30 minutes for each rotation. Buy your tickets at the box office at the back of the Ferris wheel, or, better yet, book in advance.
SAATCH GALLERY (Tel:7823 2363; www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk; County Hall SE1; tube Waterloo/ Westminster stations; adult/concession ￡8.75/￡6.75; Time: Sun. (Sunday-Thursday 10am-7:15pm; Friday and Saturday 10am-9:15pm) brings together the greatest works of the so-called Young British Art (YBA) movement, with a permanent exhibition of Damien Hirst's work. The exhibition brings together the greatest works of the so-called Young British Art (YBA) movement, with permanent exhibitions of works by Damien HIrst, Tracey Emin and others. Damien HIrst, Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, and others. Lucas, and other artists.
IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM With a vast military collection covering all aspects of warfare (from reconnaissance to trench warfare), the Imperial War Museum (Tel: 7416 5339; www.iwm.org.uk; Lambeth Rd SE1; Lambeth North tube, free) is a great place to visit. admission; Time: 10am-6pm) has a large part of its exhibits on the destruction of life and society by war.
MILLENNIUM BRIDGE Opened in 2000, the Millennium Bridge (St Paul's/Blackfriars tube station) closed after just three days because the weight and movement of the large number of walkers caused it to sway, and reopened 18 months later. Now its elegant "blade of light" design carries thousands of people from St. Paul's Cathedral on the north bank of the river to the Tate Museum on the south bank.
FASHION & TEXTILE MUSEUM Focusing on fashion from the 1950s through to the present day, the Fashion & Textile Museum (Tel: 7403 0222; www.ftmlondon.org; 83 Bermondsey St SE1; London Bridge station; adult/concessionary. London Bridge Station; Adult/Concession ￡6/4; Time: Tue-Sat 10am-4:15pm, Sun noon-4:15pm) The exterior colors-orange and pink-are similar to those of its creator, the quirky British designer Zandra Rhodes used for her signature. The staggered gallery features gorgeous modern fashions, and its permanent collection includes garments designed by master couturiers such as Christian Dior, Chanel, Ossie Clark and Mary Quant.
DALI UNIVERSE As the museum with the largest collection of Dalí's work in all of Europe, the Dalí Universe (Tel: 7620 2720; www.daliuniverse.com ; County Hall, Riverside Building SE1; Metro Waterloo/ Westminster; Adult/Concession ￡8.50/7; Time: 10am-5:30pm) features more than 500 Dalí works, including the famous Mae West Lips Sofa and Lobster Phone. Lobster Telephones".
JUBILEE BRIDGE (Embankment/Waterloo Tube) is a pedestrian bridge from Embankment Tube Station over the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye, with beautiful views of the Thames. The view is especially beautiful at night, when the white towers look as if they're floating in the air.
South London
Greenwich Walking Tour To see Greenwich in the best part of the day, it takes a long time to see it all. Take the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Cutty Sark station or get off at Greenwich station. Start with a visit to the pretty Cutty Sark (Tel: 8858 3445; www.cuttysark.org.uk; King William Walk SE10; Adult/Concession ￡4.25/3.25; Time: 10am-5pm), one of the only remaining fast sailing ships in the UK that carries tea and wool. Stroll through Greenwich Market (Greenwich Market; Time: Thu-Sun 9:30am-5:30pm) again, then visit the Queen's House; Tel: 8858 4422; www.nmm.ac.uk ; Romney Rd SE10; free admission; Time: July and August 10am-6pm, September to June 10am-5pm), is the home of Inigo? Inigo Jones designed it in 1616 as a retreat for James I's queen (Princess Anne from Denmark). The National Maritime Museum (Tel:8858 4422; www.nmm.ac.uk ; Romney Rd SE10; admission free; Time: July and August 10am-6pm, September to June 10am-5pm) preserves the fine traditions of the British Navy in the interiors of its beautiful buildings! .. Climb the hill behind this museum to the Royal Observatory (Tel: 8858 4422; www.nmm.ac.uk; Romney Rd SE10; admission free; Time: July and August 10am-6pm, September-June 10am-5pm). The Observatory's courtyard is marked by a brass line, the prime meridian, which is what divides the world into the eastern and western hemispheres.
Around London
When you've had enough of the hustle and bustle of the city, there are plenty of places to take a break around London. Brighton, Bath, Oxford and Cambridge can all be visited in a day. You can also choose Windsor and Eton, which are closer to London and have an aristocratic atmosphere. Trains run twice an hour from London Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside (￡6.40/￡6.70 one-way/return, one hour).
Windsor Castle; Tel: 020-7766 7304; www.royalresidences.com; adult/concession ￡12/10, halved when State Apartments is closed; Time: Mar-Oct 9:45am-4pm, Nov-Feb 9:45am-4pm. February 9:45am-3pm, April to June Monday to Saturday 11am every other day change) is one of the three official residences of the Queen of England. It has served as a residence for British monarchs for more than 900 years. Notable attractions include the 14th-century St George's Chapel, containing the graves of 10 monarchs (closed on Sundays), the stunning Queen Mary's Doll's House and the The gorgeous State Apartments. The State Apartments are closed when the royal family is in residence - so call ahead to find out. If the Queen is in residence, the royal flag flies over Windsor Castle.
Eton College; Tel: 67117; www.etoncollege.com; admission ￡3.80, ￡4.90 for 1-hour group tours; Time: 10am-4:30pm March 27-April 20 and July 3-September 7, 2-4:30pm April 21-July 2 and Sept. 8-Oct. (April 21-July 2 and September 8-October 3 2-4:30pm, group tours 2:15pm and 3:15pm) A short walk down Thames St after crossing the river is Eton College. This famous school has educated 18 British prime ministers and many members of the royal family, the latest generation of royals to study here being Prince William and Prince Harry. Some of the buildings here were built by Henry VI when he founded the school in the mid-15th century.
No matter how careful you are with your money, living in London will always cost you a lot. Booking a hotel is always the best way to go, especially in the summer months. Visit London's Accommodation Line (Accommondation Line; Tel: 7932 2020; www.visitlondonoffers.com) for the most detailed information (there's no charge for booking). Another option is to contact hostels directly. While Accommodation Line can provide information on most hostels, for detailed information on all of London's small hostels, contact the Youth Hostels Association (Tel: 0870 770 6113; www.yha.org.uk) or the YMCA (YMCA; Tel: 8520 5599. www.yha.org.uk); www.ymca.org.uk ). During Easter and summer vacations, student halls of residence and university halls of residence are open to non-students and are slightly more expensive. Contact Tel: 7995 7575 or 7107 5750, or visit www.lse.ac.uk/collections/vacations for details. No doubt, rent is also expensive. For the most up-to-date current price changes, check the classified columns of: the Wednesday supplements Homes and Property in Loot, TNT, Time Out and Evening Standard.
Splurge a little!
For everyone from the Sex Pistols to Johnny Depp and Kate Moss, the Portobello Hotel is a temporary home away from home, and this inn (Tel:7727 2777; www.portobello-hotel.co.uk; 22 Stanley Gardens W11; Notting Hill Gate tube station; from ￡120/160 single/double) has been a popular place for rock stars and movie stars to stay for years. There's a 24-hour bar where guests can refresh themselves before heading out for a night on the town, and the themed rooms (Moroccan and Japanese, for example), which are decorated in a variety of different ways, are cozy, luxurious and very cool with a colonial twist!
Pimlico & Victoria
Victoria may not be the most attractive part of London, but the cheap hotels here are a lot better value than those in Earl's court. Leatherwood is immediately more liveable, and it's easy to get to the Tate on Millbank.
Victoria Hotel (Tel: 7834 3077; www.astorhostels.com; 71 Belgrave Rd SW1; Metro PImlico; dorm beds ￡15-￡18) This chic, stylish, recently renovated 60-bed hostel does a brisk business but doesn't let its guests down. business is brisk, but the hostel doesn't let that slow it down. Packed with short-stay travelers, the hostel has a 24-hour reception and is within walking distance of the Tate Gallery and Westminster Abbey.
Brindle House Hotel (Tel: 7828 0057; www.brindlehousehotel.co.uk; 1 Warwick Pl North SW1; Metro Victoria; inclusive breakfast single/double ￡35/48, single/double/triple/quad with shower ￡45/60/75/ (￡89) Recently newly tiled and decorated, the rooms are rather plain but the bathroom with shower is very small. The service was warm and attentive.
Luna & Simone Hotel (Tel:7834 5897; www.lunasimonehotel.com ; 47-49 Belgrave Rd SW1; Metro Victoria; single ￡40, single/double/triple w/shower ￡50/60/80) is inundated with service-quality streets filled with B&Bs of both high and low quality, this hotel exemplifies good quality at a good price. The rooms are equipped with satellite TV, brightly lit and well ventilated, and not a stain in sight. Another good hostel is the Victor Hotel (Tel:7592 9853; www.victorhotel.co.uk; 51 Belgrave Rd SW1; Metro Victoria; breakfast included single/double/triple with shower ￡70/90/135), but it's a bit more expensive.
James House & Cartref House (Tel:7730 7338; www.jamesandcartref.co.uk ; 108 &129 Ebury St SW1; Metro Victoria; single/double/triple/quad with shower 62/85/110/ (￡135) For the self-catering traveler, these two B&Bs are the best hotels on the street, and they're across the street from each other. The proprietors are a kindly couple who know the Victoria area well. The newly renovated rooms are very clean.
London's West End and Coventry Gardens
London's West End is a central tourist area, and it's easy to pay to stay here for tourist convenience. Here are some of the cheapest hostels:
Oxford St YHA (Tel:7734 1618; Oxfordst@yha.org.uk; 14 Noel St W1; Underground Oxford Circus/Tottenham Court Rd station; Dormitory beds Adult/YHA member ￡22.60/ (￡18.20, doubles ￡26 per person) This is the most centrally located of the London hostels, with all the amenities, cleanliness and good service, but it's noisy. The kitchen is large but does not serve meals other than breakfast. There is a laundry room and most of the 75 beds are doubles.
Regent Palace Hotel (Tel:0870 400 8703; www.regentpalacehotel.co.uk; Glasshouse St W1; Metro Piccadilly Circus; single/double/triple from ￡64/89/99). This centrally located and not-too-expensive hostel is just perfect for visitors coming from Heathrow on the Tube, and sightseeing is particularly easy. But the surroundings are a bit noisy and not very conducive to rest.
Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia
The Bloomsbury area is quiet, elegant and half the price of West London.
The Generator (Tel:7388 7666; www.the-generator.co.uk; Compton Pl off 37 Tavistock Pl WC1; Tube Russell Sq station; breakfast included Dorm beds ￡12.50-￡17 without bathroom single/double/triple 42/ (￡26.50/22.50). One of the hottest cheap hostels in central London, the hostel has an on-site bar that's open until 2 a.m. There's a cinema room, billiards room, check-in safe, laundry, and cafeteria (pizzas are ￡3), but no kitchen. Be sure to book in advance.
Pickwick Hall (Tel:7323 4958; www.pickwickhall.co.uk; 7 Bedford Pl WC1; Metro Holborn; lodges/doubles ￡20/44) A stone's throw from the British Museum, this hostel offers basic accommodation of good quality. There is a kitchen, laundry and TV lounge.
Indian Student YMCA Hostel (Indian Student YMCA; Tel: 7387 0411; www.indianymca.org; 41 Fitzroy Sq W1; Metro Warren St; lodges/single/double ￡20/34/40, doubles with bathrooms from ￡55). Hosts visitors from all countries, not limited to students, in spacious, clean rooms with laundry and sports equipment. Breakfast and a delicious curry dinner are included in the accommodation price.
Hotel Cavendish (Tel: 7636 9079; www.hotelcavendish.com; 75 Gower St WC1; tube Goodge St; breakfast included Single/double/triple/quad ￡40/50/75/90) Upper wallpaper is William Morris-style. The cozy breakfast room is hung with paintings by Bloomsbury writers and has a delightful walled garden. The rooms are not equipped with every facility, but the various amenities immediately adjacent to them are very convenient.
Arran House Hotel (Tel: 7636 2186; arran@dircon.co.uk; 77-79 Gower St WC1; tube Goodge St station; dorm beds ￡16-21, inclusive breakfast single/double/triple ￡45/62/80, with bathroom ￡55/85/103). A very good value, family-run hostel, the dormitory rooms are clean, spotless and well-ventilated, and the stylish and comfortable doubles have decorative fireplaces. Roses bloom in the garden in summer, an added treat for travelers.
Arosfa (Tel:7636 2115; 83 Gower St WC1; tube Goodge St station; breakfast included Single/double/triple/quad ￡45/66/79/92). After a six-month remodeling and refurbishment, Arosfa ("the place to stay," in Welsh terms) reopened in 2003. All rooms now have full sanitary facilities, and new furniture, carpets and paint add to the fresh feel. There is a small garden open to tenants in summer.
South Kensington & Earl's Court
South Kensington Palace is within easy reach of the major museums, but cheap hotels can be found in Earl's Court. The lower-end hotels in the Earl's Court area are intimidating, but you can immediately tell by the state of the foyer and the whole vibe whether you should stay there or not.
The Earl's Court Youth Hostel (Earl's Court YHA; Tel: 7373 7083; earlscourt@yha.org.uk; 38 Bolton Gardens SW5; Metro Earl's Court; dorm beds Adults/Under 18s ￡19.50/￡17.20) was originally a Victorian townhouse, newly converted into a hostel, the interior is spacious and clean, with rooms mainly in fours and helpful attendants. Inside there is a well-equipped self-catering kitchen, a large lounge with satellite TV and a large courtyard garden.
Curzon House Hotel (Tel:7581 2116; www.curzonhousehotel.co.uk; 58 Courtfield Gardens SW5; Metro Gloucester Rd station; breakfast included Dorm beds ￡15-￡17, single/double/triple 30/44/ (￡63) In a quiet little square overlooking a pretty chapel, this hostel has rooms with basic amenities (no bathrooms), a kitchen and a cable TV room. The service is the best you will ever see.
Merlyn Court Hotel (Tel: 7370 1640; www.merlyncourthotel; 2 Barkston Gardens SW5; Metro Earl's Court; inclusive breakfast Single/double/triple/quad from ￡30/45/60/65 with shower ￡40/65/70/ (￡75) This hostel is in Edwardian square, close to the tube, and has recently been renovated. The furnishings are simple and the rooms are usually triple or quadruple occupancy.
Swiss House Hotel (Tel: 7373 2769; www.swiss-hh.demon.co.uk; 171 Old Brompton Rd SW5; Metro Gloucester Rd; breakfast single/double/triple/quad ￡56/97/132/147) is a relaxing, clean and modern hotel. and clean and modern hostel with average facilities but fresh air. The large, brightly lit rooms have conforming floors and simple but stylish decor.
Philbeach Hotel (Tel: 7373 1244; www.philbeachhotel.freeserve.co.uk; 30-31 Philbeach Gardens SW5; tube Earl's Court; B&B single/double ￡50/63 with bathroom ￡59/81) One of London's few gay men's hostels. There are 40 stylish and rustic rooms. The bar and Thai restaurant are both popular with local gay men.
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